Biff Pocoroba – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Biff Pocoroba isn’t exactly a household name these days, but he carved out a memorable decade as a catcher for the Atlanta Braves in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Born Biff Benedict Pocoroba on July 25, 1953, in Burbank, California, he spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the Braves from 1975 to 1984.

He became a steady presence behind the plate during some of the Braves’ most unforgettable seasons.

Pocoroba’s career stood out for his solid defensive skills, his 1978 National League All-Star nod, and his key role in the Braves’ wild 1982 division championship run. He battled shoulder injuries that eventually cut his career short, but he still managed a .257 batting average over ten seasons. Braves pitchers—especially Hall of Fame knuckleballer Phil Niekro—trusted him behind the plate.

He started as a 17th-round draft pick right out of high school, then later shifted to business ownership after retirement. Biff’s journey really shows what it takes to stick around in pro baseball, especially in a smaller market like Atlanta.

His story gives a peek into the sacrifices and challenges players face when they’re not always in the spotlight.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Biff Benedict Pocoroba came into the world on July 25, 1953, in Burbank, California. He was the second of seven kids born to Victor and Ida Pocoroba.

He started playing baseball at Canoga Park High School, where he took over as starting catcher from another future major leaguer and earned All-City honors. The Atlanta Braves picked him in the 17th round of the 1971 amateur draft, right after he finished high school.

Burbank Roots and Family Background

Biff Pocoroba’s full legal first name really is “Biff”—not just a nickname. His parents, Victor and Ida, raised a big family with Biff as the second oldest.

The Pocorobas held on to family traditions, and those traditions would shape Biff’s life after baseball. His grandfather made sausage, and those old recipes stuck around for years.

Growing up in Southern California in the ‘60s, Biff developed his athletic skills in a region packed with baseball talent. His family stressed hard work and dedication, values that Biff carried with him into the pros.

Canoga Park High School Achievements

At Canoga Park High School, Biff made an immediate splash on the baseball team. In 1969, he replaced Bob Adams—another future major leaguer—as the team’s starting catcher.

Coaches and scouts noticed his defensive instincts right away. He controlled the running game and worked well with pitchers, even back then.

Earning All-City honors put him among the best players in Los Angeles. That recognition helped get him noticed by pro scouts.

He graduated from Canoga Park High School in 1971, capping off a standout high school career that hinted at bigger things to come.

Selection in the 1971 Amateur Draft

The Atlanta Braves saw something in Biff and drafted him in the 17th round of the 1971 amateur draft. They picked him up right after he finished high school.

At only 18, Biff had to choose between college and going pro. He signed with the Braves and started climbing through their minor league system.

Being a 17th-round pick meant he wasn’t a top prospect, so he had to prove himself at every level. That draft day marked the first step in a big league career that would last a decade—all with the Braves.

Major League Career with the Atlanta Braves

Biff Pocoroba spent his whole 10-season career with the Atlanta Braves, from 1975 to 1984. He went from a teenage prospect to an All-Star catcher.

The Braves catcher became known for his reliable defense and his knack for controlling the running game. He chipped in with steady offense too, which isn’t always easy as a catcher.

Rookie Years and Rise to Starting Catcher

Biff made his MLB debut on April 25, 1975, at just 21. The Atlanta Braves brought him up through the minors and gave him his first shot in the big leagues.

He gradually earned more playing time behind the plate. Coaches and teammates noticed his sharp defensive instincts early on.

He worked his way into the starting catcher rotation by staying consistent and calling a good game. His hard work paid off in 1978 when he made the All-Star team—a career highlight.

Biff’s rise happened while the Braves were bringing in more young talent. His steady hand behind the plate gave the pitching staff some much-needed stability.

Defensive Skills and Handling Base-Stealers

Biff’s biggest strength was shutting down the running game. In one spring training, he threw out eleven base-stealers in a row.

He didn’t rely just on his arm. The Atlanta Braves catcher had quick reflexes and a great feel for the game, which helped him anticipate steals.

Base stealers didn’t have much luck against him in his prime. He threw out 26% of runners trying to steal—a solid number for that era.

After his All-Star year in 1978, shoulder problems started to slow him down. His injuries made it harder to throw and cost him playing time.

Offensive Contributions and RBI Totals

Biff kept a .257 batting average over his 10 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. That’s pretty solid for a catcher in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.

His highest season for at-bats was 321, showing he was more of a platoon player than a daily starter. As a switch-hitter, he brought some flexibility to the lineup.

The Braves catcher chipped in with RBIs when he got the chance, though his totals depended on how much he played each year. He could hit from both sides, which made him useful in different situations.

Once his shoulder injuries piled up, Biff shifted into more of a pinch-hitting role. That cut into his offensive chances, but he stuck with the team through 1984.

Career Highlights and Notable Achievements

Biff Pocoroba’s ten-year career had its share of highlights, like his 1978 All-Star selection and some strong years at Fulton County Stadium. His best season was in 1977, when he hit .290. Later, he became a steady backup catcher and pinch hitter.

1978 All-Star Game Appearance

Biff got his only All-Star nod in 1978, representing the Braves in the midsummer classic. That season, he started 77 games behind the plate.

The 1978 All-Star selection was the high point of his career. He batted just .242 that year, but his defense and leadership behind the plate earned him respect.

Being named an All-Star proved Biff was the Braves’ main guy behind the plate during those years. He joined a pretty exclusive group of National League catchers.

Memorable Games at Fulton County Stadium

Biff played every game of his career at Fulton County Stadium. He became a fan favorite there.

He had his best seasons in front of Atlanta crowds. The home field seemed to bring out his best, both defensively and with the bat.

Fans in Atlanta liked his work ethic and no-nonsense style. Biff’s time at Fulton County Stadium stretched from the mid-‘70s right into the early ‘80s.

Key Seasons and Statistical Milestones

Biff’s 1977 season was his best. He hit .290 in 113 games, with career highs in homers (8), doubles (24), and RBIs (44).

He put up a .394 on-base percentage and a .445 slugging percentage that year, both big jumps from his earlier numbers.

Career stats show Biff finished with a .257 average in 596 games. He had 374 hits, 21 home runs, and 172 RBIs over ten seasons.

A rotator cuff injury in 1979 changed things for him. Even though he hit .316 in limited time that year, he needed surgery, and his career took a different turn after that.

Role as Pinch Hitter and Backup Catcher

After his injury, Biff moved into a backup catcher role for his last few seasons. He adjusted to less playing time but kept his defensive edge.

He didn’t just catch; he sometimes played third base and filled in as a pinch hitter. That versatility helped the Braves put together their roster.

Biff’s experience made him a good mentor for younger players. He offered leadership and a steady presence in the clubhouse.

In his final years, Biff accepted a smaller role and kept contributing where he could. That attitude helped him stick with the Braves until 1984.

Team Success and Playoff Experience

The Atlanta Braves finally made the playoffs during Biff’s career in 1982, winning the NL West title and taking on the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series.

1982 NL West Title Run

The 1982 season was a turning point for the Braves franchise. They won the National League West division and brought playoff baseball back to Atlanta.

Years of rebuilding finally paid off. The Braves had struggled for most of Biff’s time there, so the 1982 title meant a lot to veterans like him.

By then, shoulder injuries had really limited Biff’s playing time. From 1979 to 1983, he averaged just 53 games a year because of those nagging injuries.

He mostly served as a backup and pinch hitter during the division-winning season. His experience and leadership still mattered on a team that hadn’t seen the playoffs in ages.

1982 NL Championship Series Against St. Louis Cardinals

The Braves matched up with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1982 NL Championship Series. The Cards went on to win the World Series that year, so it was a tough draw.

The series didn’t go well for Atlanta—they got swept by St. Louis. That quick exit ended their postseason run.

Biff only had one plate appearance in the series. He grounded out, so he didn’t get to make much of an impact on offense.

That sweep was Biff’s only playoff shot. Even though it was brief, just making the postseason after years of losing seasons was a big deal for him and the Braves.

Relationship with Teammates and Managers

Biff Pocoroba built solid relationships during his decade with the Braves, especially with veteran pitcher Phil Niekro and teammate Dale Murphy. His managers valued him for his skill with pitchers and his steady presence, even when injuries slowed him down.

Working with Phil Niekro

Biff formed a special partnership with Hall of Fame knuckleball pitcher Phil Niekro. Catching the knuckleball is notoriously tough, but Biff made it look easy.

He caught the final out of a game from Niekro, showing how well they worked together. His knack for handling Niekro’s knuckleball set him apart from other catchers.

National League Manager Tommy Lasorda added Biff to the 1978 All-Star roster mainly so someone could catch Niekro’s knuckleball during the game. Not everyone could do it without letting a bunch of wild pitches get by.

That skill made Biff a valuable part of the team. Most catchers struggled with the knuckleball, but he handled it like a pro.

Collaboration with Dale Murphy

Pocoroba played alongside Dale Murphy during some of the Braves’ most competitive years in the early 1980s.

Murphy, who later won two National League MVP awards, grew into a star while Pocoroba was still with the team.

The two shared the 1982 Braves squad that pulled off an unlikely NL West title.

That run really brought the team together, creating bonds that stuck with them for years.

Pocoroba served as a backup catcher, so he often supported Murphy and the other position players from the bench.

He brought experience and insight about opposing pitchers, which proved helpful to younger teammates.

Their professional relationship lasted several seasons while the Braves rebuilt.

Both players helped the team improve during those early ’80s seasons.

Coaching and Managerial Support

Braves management trusted Pocoroba’s versatility, using him at several positions when needed.

In 1981, after Bob Horner got hurt, the team started Pocoroba at third base in 20 games.

His managers valued his switch-hitting skills and deep baseball knowledge.

After his shoulder injury in 1978, Pocoroba became Atlanta’s main pinch-hitter and emergency catcher.

The coaching staff relied on him in high-pressure situations.

He racked up 208 plate appearances as a pinch-hitter, showing that management counted on him in the clutch.

Even as his playing time shrank after the injury, Pocoroba stuck with the organization for six more seasons.

That kind of longevity says a lot about the respect he earned from managers and front office folks.

Role Changes, Injuries, and Retirement

Pocoroba’s career changed dramatically in the late 1970s when shoulder problems started messing with his throwing.

The Braves tried to keep his career alive by moving him to third base, but the injuries piled up and forced him to retire at age 30 in 1984.

Transition to Third Baseman

The Braves tried using Pocoroba at third base when his shoulder made catching tough.

This switch mostly happened when Bob Horner, the regular third baseman, was out with injury.

Pocoroba handled the hot corner well in his limited chances during the early 1980s.

But the move didn’t really solve the core issue.

Phil Niekro once explained, “You’ve got to be able to throw the ball if you’re a catcher. If he could’ve had a second catcher behind the plate to throw the ball to second base for him, Biff could’ve had a great career.”

The position change just highlighted how much his arm trouble affected his defense.

Even at third, you still need a strong arm to succeed.

Battling Shoulder Injuries

Pocoroba’s shoulder injury started to impact his play around 1979.

He had rotator cuff surgery that really limited his throwing.

The injury shifted him from promising everyday catcher to backup.

Dale Murphy remembered, “Poco once threw out 11 straight base-stealers in spring training. With shoulder problems he became our go-to LH bat off the bench.”

After the surgery, his role changed a lot.

Pocoroba finished out his last seasons mostly as a pinch-hitting specialist and backup catcher.

He still found ways to help the team, batting .271 in 1982 and 1983 while filling in as needed.

But the shoulder injury kept him from ever winning back a starting job.

His arm strength just never bounced back after that surgery.

Final Games and Release in 1984

Pocoroba’s career ended suddenly in 1984.

The Braves let him go after he played just four games early in the season.

That last season was short and honestly pretty tough.

At just 30, he couldn’t get past the shoulder problems.

The release closed the book on his decade with Atlanta.

Pocoroba spent his whole big league career with the Braves.

He retired right after being released.

He didn’t try to catch on with another team, instead choosing to start a new chapter.

After baseball, he opened Sausage World, a specialty meat shop in suburban Atlanta.

That new career fit his Italian roots and his family’s background in food.

Life After Baseball and Legacy

After stepping away from professional baseball in 1984, Biff Pocoroba jumped into entrepreneurship with his specialty meat business.

He stayed connected to his community and built a legacy that went beyond just his playing days.

Sausage World and Business Ventures

Pocoroba launched his specialty meat business in suburban Atlanta after retiring at 30.

The company did well and let him stay in the city where he’d spent his entire baseball career.

He focused the business on specialty meats and sausages.

That career shift showed how he could adapt from pro sports to running a company.

The meat shop gave his family stability after baseball.

Moving from catcher to business owner really highlighted Pocoroba’s work ethic.

He poured the same energy into his business that he once gave to the game.

His company kept going for years after he left the field.

Community Involvement and Family Life

Pocoroba kept strong ties to Atlanta throughout his post-baseball life.

He stayed in the suburbs, close to his business.

His family always remained important to him after baseball.

He kept a pretty low profile compared to his playing days.

He focused on his business and family.

His connection to the Braves organization stuck around even after he retired.

Family members shared news of his passing through Facebook posts in May 2020.

That showed how close he stayed with his loved ones.

His family decided to keep the details about his final years private.

Memorials and Recognition

In May 2020, the Atlanta Braves put out an official statement mourning Pocoroba’s death. The team said they felt sad to lose their former All-Star catcher.

Pocoroba spent about a decade with the Braves, and the organization really respected him for it.

Baseball fans and old teammates looked back on Pocoroba and what he brought to the game. His unusual name and the way he played stuck with people who followed the Braves in the 1970s and 1980s.

He got picked for the All-Star team in 1978, and honestly, that stood out as a big moment in his career.

Career Statistics Summary:

• Batting Average: .257
• Home Runs: 21
• RBIs: 172
• Best Season: 1977 (.290 average, 8 homers)

Tom Wages Funeral Services took care of arrangements after he passed away at 66. His family or representatives didn’t announce a cause of death.